12 | Chapter 1 women’. In a community setting, however, NQMs face a sense of responsibility which induces anxiety around the decisions they make in practice. On the other hand, working in the community while working in continuity of care also provides NQMs with the benefits of building relationships with the pregnant individuals, of being ‘with the women’ as a midwife.24 Transition support Research suggests that the importance of transition support for NQMs is beneficial for NQMs.24 Transition support in the hospital setting helps NQMs navigate between the expectations of the profession and the realities of working in a medicalized model of care within a hospital. 24,27In the community, transition support helps NQMs to feel a sense of belonging in a small team with fellow midwives and enables them to work in continuity of care.24,28 Furthermore, national transition-into-practice programmes for NQMs were implemented to guarantee safe midwifery care.25 Transition support addresses issues regarding NQMs’ feelings of lacking competence and confidence while working in practice, and strengthens their experience with uncomplicated pregnancies and births.29 Hospital-based transition-into-practice programmes prepare NQMs to work with pregnant individuals who face complications and higher risks in their pregnancy.24 From a broader perspective, supporting the transition of newly qualified healthcare professionals (NQPs) seems effective. Transition support increases NQP’s level of confidence and competence in practice, increases job satisfaction, reduces stress, and increases retention rates.30-32 Research shows that effective transition support consists of different components, a combination of classroom instruction, observational experience, coaching, and computer-based learning alongside well-prepared and supported mentors.30-34 For an effective transition-into-midwifery practice, fellow midwives seem to be pivotal. They can offer a supportive work environment and also offer mentorship.35 The work environment of midwives in the Netherlands Midwives working in the Netherlands can choose between two different work environments: in a community or in a hospital setting. Most of the NQMs (72%) start their career as a locum midwife in the community (see textboxes: The organization of midwifery care in the Netherlands and Midwifery education in the Netherlands).36 A minority of NQMs work as an employed hospital-based midwife (7%).36 A registered midwife working in the community setting is responsible for the continuity of care for pregnant women and their partners, and for risk assessment. When problems arise, she will refer women to secondary care. In the hospital setting, a midwife works partially autonomously, in decision-making and in providing low-risk midwifery care, and partially
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